Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Workshop Minutes
November 25, 2008
8:15 AM Chair Netishen opened the workshop and asked those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, and Peter Bock
Guests: Jaye Vilchock, Chief, Nottingham Fire/Rescue; Heidi Carlson, Deputy Chief, Nottingham Fire/Rescue; Gunnar Foss, Chief, Nottingham Police
Others Present: Charles Brown, Town Administrator and Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary
BUDGET
Fire/Rescue:
Chief Vilchock made the following proposal:
- Full-Time Salary line increased to $75,841. This reflects a 1.5% COLA increase for two (2) full-time emergency personnel.
- Full-Time Overtime Salary line to remain the same.
- Part-Time Salary line to remain the same.
- Service Contracts line to decrease. Items have been moved to the General Government Building line.
- Stipend line to remain the same.
- Chief’s Salary line to remain the same.
- Mileage line to remain the same.
- Dispatch line to decrease to $0. Services will be moved to Rockingham County Dispatch effective December 1, 2008 at Noon. This cost is covered under county taxes.
- Postage line to remain the same.
- Medical Supply line no longer used. Items moved to ambulance account.
- Breathing Apparatus line is increased $500. Breathing apparatuses must be fit tested.
- Dues line to remain the same.
- Publications line to remain the same.
- Training line to remain the same.
- Protective Gear line to remain the same.
- Vaccination Testing line to remain the same.
Discussion: Acknowledging that the line is under spent this year, Chief Vilchock informed the Selectmen that they have been less than pro-active in this area. Emergency personnel, EMT’s in particular, require follow-up titers among other things. Deputy Chief Carlson reported that a process has recently been put in place with Exeter Hospital, which will allow for easier and better follow through in this area. There was discussion that with a process in place, there may not be enough money in the account. Chief Vilchock does not want to increase this line at this time.
- Uniforms/Cleaning line to remain the same.
- Office Supplies line to remain the same.
- Equipment/Office line to increase to $3,000. This reflects a $1,000 increase and will be used to cover the cost of hiring support to do some file sharing, networking of printers, and so forth.
Discussion: There was discussion about possible prospects for services. Deputy Chief Carlson reported that Fire/Rescue use the same service provider as the Town. Chief Vilchock reported that his computer failed this year but he is not looking to purchase a new one in this budget.
- Supplies/Equipment line to increase to $8,000. This reflects a $1,000 increase. Fire/Rescue is in need of replacing hand lights with on-truck charging capabilities. They are also in need of a foldable ladder and miscellaneous hand tools. There was discussion around the boat and motor. Chief Vilchock voiced concern over the use of them, adding that he will not rely on their use if the outboard motor is not replaced.
Discussion: There was discussion about the proposed Warrant Article for a new fire truck. At Ms. Bonser’s inquiry, Deputy Chief Carlson informed the Selectmen that the closest ladder truck is in Durham. Chief Foss voiced concerns over the lack of a plan for CIP purchases. He feels the Selectmen need to plan this year or next year will be doubled. The Town must be able to supply emergency services. Mr. Bock feels that the Selectmen are aware of the economic situation. They are trying to see what needs to be mandated for the people of the community. He indicated that they do not like the choices in front of them, however, they must do something for the community. Chief Foss again voiced concern over the ability of the Town to function come 2010. Chair
Netishen suggested that the Selectmen meet with all department heads to establish a hard position and lay out a 2-3 year budget. Chief Foss said he needs to see a plan of what the Town is going to do when this economic situation continues. He is concerned about next year’s cuts and needs to know where the Town is going and what the plan is to get it there.
- Gasoline/Diesel line to increase to $4,800. This reflects a $1,300 increase.
- Vehicle Maintenance line to increase to $16,700. This reflects an increase of $6,700, some of which is to be used to cover the cost of converting the outgoing police cruiser to a fire car.
Discussion: Acknowledging the Selectmen’s decision to not put a new cruiser forth this year, Ms. Bonser suggested removing the cost of the conversion ($4,200) from this line and adding in $1,700 to maintain the current fire car, for a total line of $12,500. Deputy Chief Carlson informed the Selectmen that if the fire truck does not pass town vote, this line will need to be increased. Ms. Bonser noted that the outcomes of the votes for the truck and ambulance will need to be looked at prior to Town Meeting discussion of these budgetary items.
- Equipment Maintenance line to be decreased to $2,000. This reflects a $2,000 decrease.
- Radio Maintenance line to be decreased. The balance of the money in this line for this year needs to be encumbered. The work to be done was held up by the FCC. The repeater needs to be done, portables need to be reprogrammed, replacement batteries are needed, etc..
- Telephone line to be decreased to $3,000. Mr. Brown restructured the phone system reducing costs.
- Internet line to be decreased to $1,200. This amount is based on actual cost.
- Miscellaneous to be increased to $500. This reflects a $500 increase, which will be used to purchase water, food, etc. for extended operations.
- Haz Mat line to remain the same.
- Forest Fire line to be decreased to $2000.
- Matching Grant line to be increased to $2,000. Matches have increased to $2000.
- Homeland Sec Grant O/S Rev line to remain at $0.
Chief Vilchock reported the NF/RD had 31 volunteers as of this morning. One application is out. The applicant is not certified. Chief Vilchock would like to see 35 volunteers. The last two applicants were already certified. Currently, there are two people who need to be certified in EMT. Chief Vilchock will be enforcing a one year probationary period, in which the volunteers must get certified. He informed the Selectmen that Fire/Rescue is not getting the interest from the younger generation and he wants to be more pro-active in recruitment. He suggested putting an ad on Channel 22.
There was discussion on the proposed budget. Chair Netishen suggested reducing the publications line by $700. Chief Vilchock is opposed to this. Deputy Chief Carlson informed the Selectmen that a reduction would preclude all educational programs.
There was discussion around what items the McLean fund can be used to purchase. Chief Vilchock reported that he will be looking for a new oximeter/cyanide detector next year.
Chair Netishen suggested reducing the Training line by $2,000. Chief Vilchock is opposed to this and explained that he currently has outstanding expenditures. Ms. Bonser feels that training is too important to cut.
Chair Netishen suggested reducing the Uniforms/Cleaning line. Chief Vilchock explained the there are Officers who need to be outfitted. Ms. Bonser felt this could be put off. Deputy Chief Carlson strongly feels that the department needs to be outfitted properly, noting that the Chief does not have a Class A Uniform. She recommended cutting $1,000 from this line. All agreed.
Chair Netishen suggested reducing the Office Supply line by $200 and the Office Equipment line by $500. All agreed.
Chair Netishen suggested reducing the Supplies/Equipment line. There was discussion around the purchase of a used outboard motor. Chief Vilchock agreed to reduce this line by $2,000.
Chair Netishen inquired about reducing the Radio Maintenance line. Chief Vilchock was opposed informing the Selectmen that ICOM’s need upgrade for $35 each. Any left over money will be used to purchase Motorolas.
Chair Netishen calculated the agreed upon reductions. The current agreed upon final budget for NF/R is $201,491.
The Selectmen will look to have a meeting with all department heads in February to discuss long range plans. Mr. Brown will work with the Chief and Duputy Chief on proper wording for the two Warrant Articles. A final budget review was planned for January 22, 2009. Mr. Brown needs a final dollar amount for the fire truck by this time.
Chair Netishen called a break at 9:30 AM. Chief Vilchock and Deputy Chief Carlson left the meeting. Chair Netishen reconvened the meeting at 9:39 AM.
Police:
Chief Foss informed the Selectmen that he was not here to speak about the police budget. He believes the budget for this year is a done deal. He wants to know what the Selectmen planned going forward. There was discussion around the replacement cruiser. Chief Foss again explained that he was not here to discuss this year’s budget. He wants to know what the Selectmen plan to do when the PD cannot go without cruisers next year. Ms. Bonser raised the issue of the increase in the school budget. Chief Foss acknowledged that the school budget has always been an issue. He wants to know the plan. Chair Netishen acknowledged Chief Foss’ concern. He noted that the Selectmen have, historically, given decent pay raises and cut the budget elsewhere, but faced with
these economic times they are making tough decisions and have decided that there will be low pay raises and cuts in the budget. He also acknowledged, for the record, that there is an imbalance in the recommended pay raises between the School, Library, and Town budgets. He feels that the lowest and best budgets for the Town are being put forward.
Chief Foss discussed his personnel. He informed the Selectmen that Officer Woodman had been named Most Improved Recruit at the Academy and suggested that the Selectmen provide her with a letter of acknowledgement. Chair Netishen asked Chief Foss to send a memo to the Selectmen requesting same.
Chief Foss left the meeting.
Other Budget Discussions:
The Selectmen will schedule a meeting with department heads around February 1st to discuss future plans.
Mr. Brown is going through the draft Warrant to work up a total budget amount.
Mr. Brown reported that he is not sure about the Solid Waste budget for next year. He had reduced this budget to $90,000 but there have been changes in the recycling cost, which cause concern. He has since increased it to $92,000 but is still concerned. Chair Netishen suggested reducing the mowing line. Mr. Brown reported that it has been increased. It has been mowed once in two years and needs to be mowed twice in one year. They discussed forming a committee, at some point in the future, to look at the revenue/expenditures and budget for this department.
They discussed the Parks and Recreation budget. Chair Netishen suggested reducing the Over-Time Salary line by $1,000, the Training line by $300, the Equipment/Supplies/Maintenance line by $500, the Advertising line by $150, and the Office Supplies by $100 for a total reduction of $2,050. Mr. Bock noted that this represented a 13% reduction out of programs that perform a service. Ms. Bonser does not feel concerned with cutting the Recreation Department budget when they have cut a cruiser out of the Police Department budget. They went through the line items again and agreed upon reducing the Over-Time Salary line by $1,000, the Training line by $100, the Equipment/Supplies/Maintenance line by $500, the Advertising line by $150, and the Office Supplies line by $100. Mr. Brown believes that
training for this department is necessary.
They discussed the Recreation Revolving (RR) account. Chair Netishen feels that this account holds a lot of money and should be used to provide the programs for the children. They discussed the Programs line and whether or not the money could be moved. The Selectmen determined that they would put the Recreation budget on hold until they had clarification on possible restrictions of the RR account.
Other Items:
Mr. Brown inquired about closing the office at Noon on December 24 and remaining closed on December 26. Chair Netishen suggested offering the day off, with pay, to employees, if they wished to take it but clarified that he would like some coverage on Friday and asked Mr. Brown to come in.
The Selectmen agreed that this would be a sign of good will. There will be no closure for Friday, January 2, 2009.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to enter a non public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(a).
Vote: By roll call: Ms. Bonser – Yea, Mr. Bock – Yea, Chair Netishen – Yea. Motion passed 3-0.
The Selectmen entered a non-public session at 10:35 AM and excused Mr. Brown and Ms. Chauvey.
At 11:32, Ms. Chauvey was informed that the non-public session had been closed and was asked to resume recording.
Motion: Ms. Bonser, second Bock to seal the minutes of the non-public session.
Vote: By roll call: Ms. Bonser – Yea, Mr. Bock – Yea, Chair Netishen - Yea. Motion passed 3-0.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 11:34 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
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